Hollywood
Imax & Warner Bros extend multi-film deal through 2020
MUMBAI: Imax Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures have entered into a multi-picture agreement to release up to 30 films from the studio’s slate through 2020 as a continuation of the companies’ longstanding partnership.
Under the agreement, Imax will be part of a number of high-profile tentpoles from Warner Bros. Pictures, including The Man from U.N.C.L.E. , In the Heart of the Sea, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the Tarzan movie, the King Arthur movie, Suicide Squad, Geostorm, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Jungle Book: Origins, and Godzilla 2.
The deal also encompasses a number of upcoming DC tentpoles, as well as future LEGO movies, including The LEGO Movie Sequel.
“We’ve had an incredible partnership with Warner Bros. for more than 10 years, which has helped Imax filmgoers enjoy Warner movies around the world. We’re excited and grateful to extend that partnership,” said Imax CEO Richard L. Gelfond.
“With this multi-picture deal, Imax and Warner Bros. continue a lengthy and substantial partnership, which is invested in bringing the highest-quality entertainment to the most awe-inspiring cinematic experience. But at its core, this deal enriches and broadens Imax’s relationship with key filmmakers, who have always been a top priority for Warner Bros. in bringing the most compelling cinema to audiences around the world,” added Imax Corp senior executive vice president and Imax Entertainment CEO Greg Foster.
Warner Bros. Pictures president, domestic distribution Dan Fellman said, “Imax provides an immersive moviegoing experience that is unparalleled. We have an exciting and extremely diverse slate and look forward to giving audiences the opportunity to see a variety of films on the largest possible canvas.”
Warner Bros. Pictures president, international distribution Veronika Kwan Vandenberg said, “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Imax on these much-anticipated projects and more to come. Increasingly over the years, international audiences are opting to watch movies on large-format screens, taking advantage of the premium visual and sound quality offered by Imax.”
The Imax release of each film will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The Imax Experience with proprietary Imax DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
